11 retirees say goodbye

PERKINS TWP. — Class is dismissed for nearly a dozen retiring Perkins Schools staff members. The district sent off 11 employees who had a collective 305 years of dedication to Perkins Schools' students. Briar Middle School lost four teachers and the building's counselor as they ended their education careers: • Joe Taylor started at the district in the 1990-91 school year as a history and social studies teacher. Once he is retired, Taylor plans to catch up on housework and vacationing. "I just like presenting in class and making a seemingly boring subject — history — fun," Taylor said. • For 28 years, three in special education and 25 as a counselor, David Zimmerman has been connected to Perkins Schools. Once he is retired, he will miss the students and his colleagues in his district. "I consider this place my family," Zimmerman said. "There is never a dull moment." Zimmerman also plans to enjoy vacationing and his newly opened schedule after retirement. • As Wendy Lippus put it, "I finally get to graduate from sixth grade." Lippus ended her teaching career as a sixth-grade science teacher and has been at Perkins Schools for 33 years. In her time, she jumped around from buildings, including the high school, Meadowlawn Intermediate School and Briar Middle School. One of Lippus' highlights from her three decades at the district was her Halloween costume from last year. She and other building staff dressed as Pac-Man and four ghosts while running around as the video game music played. Now that she is retired, Lippus has plans to travel to Italy and Spain and plans to take more trips in the future. • While teaching, Amy Didion would take her students into the field. She plans to continue doing so after retirement. Her first trip after retirement is to The Wilds in southeast Ohio where she will go on a week-long camping trip and have a behind-the-scenes look at the safari park. Didion was in the education field for 33 years. Six of her years were spent at Margaretta Schools, one year at Meadowlawn Intermediate School and 26 at Briar Middle School. Now that she is retired, one thing she will miss is her colleagues and the connections she made with her students. "You didn't think you were making a difference, and then something happens, and you realize you made an impact," Didion said. • Badredine Idrissi split his time between the middle and high school as a Spanish teacher. He has kept his connection with the district, which started in the 2003-04 school year. Idrissi commented on the students and staff's acceptance of different cultures at Perkins Schools, which he was fond of. He also commented on the changes he saw through his years. "We progressively went into more technology and software," Idrissi said. Idrissi's next stop is Morocco, where he will spend his days building a school. "Everyone is welcome to visit," Idrissi said. • Another retiree from Perkins High School is Ellen Waldock who has spent 32 years teaching social studies and English. She ended her career solely as an English teacher. Waldock shared her favorite memory from her time was the people she met along her journey. "The people that I've worked with over the last three decades," Waldock said. "I still keep in touch with many of them." Travel is in Waldock's future. She will do "whatever I want, whenever I want." • Meadowlawn Intermediate School said goodbye to 4th-grade teacher Julie Mack who spent 26 years at Perkins Schools and 34 years as a teacher overall. One of Mack's teaching highlights was "being able to see former students grow up and see some of them become teachers is pretty awesome." Now that she is retired, Mack plans to relax at Kelleys Island and travel with her family. • Mary Pat Smith is saying goodbye to Furry Elementary School after 25 years of teaching students how to read. "Seeing their eyes light up when they understand reading makes it worthwhile," Mrs. Smith says. Smith plans to spend her retirement traveling with family and possibly playing pickleball. • Susan Hunt has a trip to Fiji in sight after retiring from Furry Elementary School. She was a paraprofessional in the district for 23 years. She said she will miss her colleagues and students now that she is gone but she looks forward to time with friends and family. • Second-grade teacher Janet Welsh is also saying goodbye to the elementary school. Welsh started her career at the district in the 1998-99 school year. From her years at the district, she said there have been too many memories to pick the best one. Welsh looks forward to spending her retirement volunteering and traveling. • Last but not least on the list of retirees is former intervention specialist and current special education director Chris Guss. Guss has been at Perkins Schools since the 1992-93 school year. Even though she is retiring, Guss is not saying goodbye to Perkins Schools. She will spend her next years vacationing and working part time at the district. "I'm going to miss the relationship with the kids and their families," Guss says. "That's always been the priority for me."